Tent assembly

ABSTRACT

A tent assembly includes a leg support frame, a top support frame including at least three angularly spaced-apart top supporting rods extending outwardly from a mid-part thereof, and a tent cover having a cover body covering the top support frame and a plurality of engaging grooves. Each top supporting rod has an inner fixed section, an outer retractable section telescopically connected to the inner fixed section and having an insert end, and a positioning unit for positioning the outer retractable section to the inner fixed section. The outer retractable section of each top supporting rod engages and disengages from a corresponding one of the engaging grooves when the outer retractable section is disposed in extended and retracted positions, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a tent assembly, more particularly to a tentassembly that is easy to assemble.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional tent assembly 1 includes a legsupport frame 10 mounted on the ground, a top support frame 11 connectedto the leg support frame 10, and a tent cover 12 mounted on the topsupport frame 11. The leg support frame 10 includes a plurality ofspaced-apart upright posts 101, and a plurality of horizontal rods 102,each of which is connected between two adjacent ones of the uprightposts 101. The top support frame 11 includes a central connecting unit111, a plurality of top supporting rods 112 extending outwardly from thecentral connecting unit 111 toward top portions of the upright posts101, and a plurality of reinforcing rods 113 extending outwardly fromthe central connecting unit 111 toward central portions of thehorizontal rods 102. Each of the top supporting rods 112 has an insertend 114 protruding outwardly from the leg support frame 10. The tentcover 12 is made by sewing a canvas or plastic material, and includes arectangular cover body 121 that covers the top support frame 11, andfour sleeve portions 122, each of which is located at a respectivecorner of the cover body 121 and defines a groove 123 that faces towarda central portion of the tent cover 12.

During assembly, one of the sleeve portions 122 is first sleeved on theinsert end 114 of a respective top supporting rod 112 through the groove123, after which the other sleeve portions 122 are successively sleevedon the insert ends 114 of the corresponding top supporting rods 112,thereby mounting the tent cover 12 on the top support frame 11.

Although the aforementioned conventional tent assembly 1 can achieve itsintended purpose, the conventional tent assembly 1 is difficult toassemble, and is not stable after assembly. The resulting dimensions ofthe tent cover 12 after cutting and sewing are the main cause of theseproblems. Namely, if the dimensions of the tent cover 12 are approximateto the area of the top support frame 11, when the sleeve portions 122are sleeved on the insert ends 114 of the top supporting rods 112, thefour corners of the tent cover 12 are stretched in such a manner thatthe tent cover 12 is stably supported on the top support frame 11.However, sleeving the last sleeve portion 122 onto the correspondinginsert end 114 is difficult since a significant force has to be exertedto create enough slack in the cover body 12 and to allow the last sleeveportion 122 to be sleeved onto the corresponding insert end 114. If thedimensions of the tent cover 12 are slightly larger than the area of thetop support frame 11, on the other hand, although assembly of the tentcover 12 to the top support frame 11 is easy, the tent cover 12 tends toflap when blown by the wind, and experiences other such similar problemsas a result of being too loosely mounted on the top support frame 11.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a tentassembly that can be easily assembled and that is stable after assembly.

According to this invention, a tent assembly comprises a leg supportframe, a top support frame, and a tent cover. The top support frameincludes at least three angularly spaced-apart top supporting rodsextending outwardly from a mid-part of the top support frame. Each ofthe top supporting rods has an inner fixed section, an outer retractablesection telescopically connected to the inner fixed section, and apositioning unit for positioning the outer retractable section to theinner fixed section. The outer retractable section has an insert end.The tent cover includes a cover body covering the top support frame, anda plurality of engaging grooves for insertion of the top supportingrods. The outer retractable section of each of the top supporting rodsengages a corresponding one of the engaging grooves when the outerretractable section is disposed in an extended position. The outerretractable section of each of the top supporting rods disengages fromthe corresponding one of the engaging grooves when the outer retractablesection is disposed in a retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional tent assembly;

FIG. 2 is a partly exploded perspective view of the first preferredembodiment of a tent assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of a top supporting rodof the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the top supporting rod of thefirst preferred embodiment in a retracted state;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the top supportingrod of the first preferred embodiment in an extended state;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a top supportingrod of the second preferred embodiment of a tent assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the top supporting rod of thesecond preferred embodiment in a retracted state; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating the top supportingrod of the second preferred embodiment in an extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it shouldbe noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numeralsthroughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the first preferred embodiment of a tentassembly according to the present invention is shown to comprise a legsupport frame 2, a top support frame 3, and a tent cover 4. The legsupport frame 2 is adapted to be mounted on the ground, and includesfour spaced-apart upright posts 21, and four horizontal rods 22. Each ofthe horizontal rods 22 is connected between two adjacent ones of theupright posts 21 by welding. Alternatively, each horizontal rod 22 canbe connected detachably between two adjacent ones of the upright posts21. The top support frame 3 is connected to the leg support frame 2, andincludes a central connecting unit 31, a plurality of angularlyspaced-apart top supporting rods 30, and a plurality of spaced-apartreinforcing rods 35. The central connecting unit 31 has a height higherthan a top edge of the leg support frame 2.

Each of the top supporting rods 30 has an inner fixed section 32, anouter retractable section 33, and a positioning unit 34.

The inner fixed section 32 is connected between the central connectingunit 31 and a respective one of the upright posts 21 by welding, and hasa peripheral wall 321, and four spaced-apart positioning holes 323formed in the peripheral wall 321 and extending along the lengththereof. The peripheral wall 321 has a rectangular cross section, anddefines a passage 322.

The outer retractable section 33 is telescopically connected to theinner fixed section 32, and has a cross section similar to that of theinner fixed section 32. In this embodiment, the outer retractablesection 33 is connected slidably and non-rotatably to the inner fixedsection 32. The outer retractable section 33 has a peripheral wall 331defining a passage 332, an inner end portion 333 inserted into thepassage 322 of the inner fixed section 32, an outer insert end 334opposite to the inner end portion 333, and a through hole 335 formedbetween the inner end portion 333 and the outer insert end 334. Theouter retractable section 33 further includes two protruding horizontalpins 336 projecting outwardly from the peripheral wall 331 in oppositedirections and proximate to the outer insert end 334.

The positioning unit 34, in this embodiment, is a resilient fastener,and has a biasing portion 341 inserted into and abutting against theperipheral wall 331 of the outer retractable section 33, and an engagingportion 342, in the form of a protrusion, connected to the biasingportion 341 and projecting outwardly from the outer retractable section33 via the through hole 335 so as to engage one of the positioning holes323. When the engaging portion 342 engages one of the positioning holes323, the length of the outer retractable section 33 extending outwardlyfrom the inner fixed section 32 is fixed.

Each of the reinforcing rods 35 is connected between the centralconnecting unit 31 and a central portion of a respective one of thehorizontal rods 22 by welding. When viewed from above, the topsupporting rods 30 and the reinforcing rods 35 are spaced apart fromeach other at equal angles.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the leg support frame 2 and the topsupport frame 3 are fixed by welding. However, in an alternativeembodiment, the top support frame 3 may be mounted detachably to the legsupport frame 2. In another alternative embodiment, the top supportingrods 30 may be directly interconnected at upper ends thereof, therebydispensing with the need for the central connecting unit 31.

The tent cover 4 can be made of a canvas or plastic material that canprovide cover from rain and block sunlight. The tent cover 4 includes acover body 41 covering the top support frame 3, and four corner pieces42 sewn respectively to four bottom corners of the cover body 41. Eachof the corner pieces 42 defines an engaging groove 43 for insertion of acorresponding top supporting rod 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, in combination with FIG. 4, during assembly of thetent assembly of the present invention, the positioning unit 34 is firstinserted into the outer retractable section 33 via the passage 332,after which the inner end portion 333 of the outer retractable section33 is inserted into the inner fixed section 32 via the passage 322 sothat the engaging portion 342 of the positioning unit 34 engages thepositioning hole 323 that is nearest the central connecting unit 31. Inthis position, the outer retractable section 33 is in a farthermostretracted state, such that when the tent cover 4 is placed on the topsupport frame 3, the outer insert end 334 of the outer retractablesection 33 is disengaged from the engaging groove 43 in thecorresponding corner piece 42 of the tent cover 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, in combination with FIG. 4, when the engagingportion 342 of the positioning unit 34 is pressed inwardly so as todisengage from the positioning hole 323 that is nearest the centralconnecting unit 31, the outer retractable section 33 can be pulledoutwardly so as to increase the length of the outer retractable section33 that extends out of the inner fixed section 32. The outer retractablesection 33 is pulled until the outer insert end 334 engages therespective engaging groove 43 in the tent cover 4, and the engagingportion 342 of the positioning unit 34 engages one of the positioningholes 323 so that the outer retractable section 33 is disposed in anextended state.

Hence, the outer retractable section 33 of each top supporting rod 30can engage easily the engaging groove 43 in the tent cover 4 withoutexerting much effort. Furthermore, the length of the outer retractablesection 33 can be adjusted by engaging the engaging portion 342 of thepositioning unit 34 with one of the positioning holes 323 provided inthe inner fixed section 32 so as to obtain the desired length of theouter retractable section 33 that extends out of the inner fixed section32. Even if the dimensions of the tent cover 4 are changed or are notaccurate after sewing, due to the retractable configuration of the outerretractable section 33, the outer retractable section 33 of the topsupport frame 3 can still engage stably the respective groove 43. Hence,the tent assembly of the present invention can resolve the drawbackencountered in the aforementioned conventional tent assembly 1 (see FIG.1), in which difficulties are encountered in mounting the tent cover 12(see FIG. 1) to the top support frame 11 when the tent cover 12 isinaccurately sized.

It should be noted that the tent assembly of the present invention canbe configured with only one outer retractable section 33, whichsimilarly results in ease of assembly of the tent cover 4 to the topsupport frame 3. If necessary, the reinforcing rods 35 may haveretractable configurations, and the tent cover 4 may be provided withadditional engaging grooves 43 to correspond to the locations of thereinforcing rods 35.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the second preferred embodiment of a tentassembly according to the present invention is shown to be similar tothe first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the outerretractable section 33 of each of the top supporting rods 30 is insertedinto and is rotatable within the passage 322 of the inner fixed section32. The positioning unit 34 includes an insert piece 343 fixed to androtatable along with the outer retractable section 33, and a frictionsleeve 344. The insert piece 343 includes an insert portion 345 insertedinto the inner end portion 333 of the outer retractable section 33, aneccentric portion 346 opposite to the insert portion 345 and extendinginto the inner fixed section 32, and an eccentric cam 347 connectedbetween the eccentric portion 346 and the insert portion 345. Thefriction sleeve 344 is sleeved on the eccentric cam 347.

The friction sleeve 344 is movable between a loose position and a tightposition. In the loose position, as shown in FIG. 8, the friction sleeve344 disengages from the inner fixed section 32 so that the outerretractable section 33 can move within the passage 322, and an extendedlength of the outer retractable section 33 relative to the inner fixedsection 32 is adjustable. In the tight position, as shown in FIG. 9, theouter retractable section 33 along with the insert piece 343 are rotatedso that the friction sleeve 344 is pushed by the eccentric cam 347 toengage the inner fixed section 32. At this time, the extended length ofthe outer retractable section 33 relative to the inner fixed section 32is fixed, and the outer retractable section 33 is inserted into therespective engaging groove 43 in the tent cover 4. After insertion ofthe outer retractable section 33 of each top supporting rod 30 into therespective engaging groove 43 in the tent cover 4, the tent cover 4 isstably supported on the top support frame 3.

From the aforementioned description of the tent assembly of the presentinvention, it is apparent that through the retractable configurations ofthe top supporting rods 30, which are not present in the aforementionedconventional tent assembly 1, the tent cover 4 can be easily and stablymounted on the top support frame 3. Furthermore, this structuredispenses with the need to make the tent cover 4 with precise dimensionsduring manufacture.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A tent assembly comprising: a leg support frame; a top support frameincluding at least three angularly spaced-apart top supporting rodsextending outwardly from a mid-part of said top support frame, each ofsaid top supporting rods having an inner fixed section, an outerretractable section telescopically connected to said inner fixedsection, and a positioning unit for positioning said outer retractablesection to said inner fixed section, said outer retractable sectionhaving an insert end; and a tent cover including a cover body coveringsaid top support frame, and a plurality of engaging grooves forinsertion of said top supporting rods, wherein said outer retractablesection of each of said top supporting rods engages a corresponding oneof said engaging grooves when said outer retractable section is disposedin an extended position, said outer retractable section of each of saidtop supporting rods disengaging from the corresponding one of saidengaging grooves when said outer retractable section is disposed in aretracted position.
 2. The tent assembly as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid inner fixed section of each of said top supporting rods has aperipheral wall defining a passage, and at least two positioning holesformed in said peripheral wall, said outer retractable section beinginserted slidably into said passage, said positioning unit including abiasing portion inserted into said outer retractable section, and anengaging portion projecting outwardly from said outer retractablesection so as to engage one of said positioning holes.
 3. The tentassembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said outer retractable sectionis connected non-rotatably to said inner fixed section.
 4. The tentassembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner fixed section of eachof said top supporting rods has a peripheral wall defining a passage,said outer retractable section being inserted into and being rotatablewithin said passage, said positioning unit including an insert piecefixed to and rotatable along with said outer retractable section, and afriction sleeve, said insert piece including an eccentric cam extendinginto said inner fixed section, said friction sleeve being sleeved onsaid eccentric cam and being movable between a loose position, whereinsaid friction sleeve disengages from said inner fixed section so that anextended length of said outer retractable section is adjustable, and atight position, wherein said friction sleeve is pushed by said eccentriccam to engage said inner fixed section so as to fix the extended lengthof said outer retractable section.
 5. The tent assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said leg support frame includes at least threespaced-apart upright posts, and a plurality of horizontal rods, each ofwhich is connected between two adjacent ones of said upright posts, saidtop support frame further including a central connecting unit, said topsupporting rods being connected between said central connecting unit andsaid upright posts and being spaced-apart from each other at equalangles.
 6. The tent assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said topsupport frame further includes a plurality of spaced-apart reinforcingrods connected between said central connecting unit and said horizontalrods.
 7. The tent assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tentcover further includes a plurality of corner pieces connected to saidcover body and defining said grooves.